VAR

[normal rules]

So, for the first time VAR proves its worth. The 5 live commentators both initially called Leicesters second goal offside. Flag went up from lino, VAR proves otherwise.

[normal rules]

There was an awkward pause during preceedings though. Be interesting to hear Leicester fans take on it. The outcome they would be pleased with - but what about the whole moment of scoring and then having to wait?

[drfchound]

A bit like the Hurst one in 1966, that we all know clearly crossed the line.

[RoversAlias]

There was an awkward pause during preceedings though. Be interesting to hear Leicester fans take on it. The outcome they would be pleased with - but what about the whole moment of scoring and then having to wait?

In an instance like this though, no time is lost. Without VAR the ball would still be dead because it'd be a dead ball to Fleetwood due to the offside. Instead the time is used to verify that the goal should stand and thus it's a positive use. I see no downside in instances such as this, it's when play hasn't stopped and a decision needs correcting that problems arise.

[drfchound]

There was an awkward pause during preceedings though. Be interesting to hear Leicester fans take on it. The outcome they would be pleased with - but what about the whole moment of scoring and then having to wait?

In an instance like this though, no time is lost. Without VAR the ball would still be dead because it'd be a dead ball to Fleetwood due to the offside. Instead the time is used to verify that the goal should stand and thus it's a positive use. I see no downside in instances such as this, it's when play hasn't stopped and a decision needs correcting that problems arise.

I would agree with that.
Someone (BJW I think) suggested stopping the game anyway in the case of reviewing something like a goal or a pen appeal while the review takes place.
If it found not to be a goal or a pen, just restart the game with a goal kick.

Totally sensible suggestion.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

I gave that some thought but the purists will say it's stopping the games natural flow, where, if there is no offence, then the other team could go up the other end and score legal goal.

It would be a major change, because when you think about it, there should be consequences. If a penalty is not awarded a considered a dive, the offending player will be booked. Players are then less likely do dive.

Resuming play by goal-kick or drop ball is a sensible solution.

Once again, bear in mind how many times is this likely to be needed during a game? It won't be stop/start as many may fear.

[anne honemous]

Hypothetical scenario.

The linesman sticks his flag up for offside.

The 'offside' player sees the flag as does the goalkeeper, but the attacker still knocks the ball into the net anyway and the goalkeeper makes no effort to save it due to the linesman's flag being up.

It then goes to VAR and, oh no, it's a perfectly good goal.

What happens then? Does the goal count?

Are players meant to play to the whistle now, or meant to play until any move is done and dusted - regardless of whether a whistle goes or a flag is up?

[RoversAlias]

They're meant to play to the whistle anyway to be fair, but I see your point. If a referee blows for an offside and they stop, but it turns out it was inside, then we have a problem. But this is why I advocate the idea of a Challenge system ala the NFL or Tennis.

[southwestexile]

Every non-penno isn't a dive so there isn't always a natural break in play

[The Red Baron]

Hypothetical scenario.

The linesman sticks his flag up for offside.

The 'offside' player sees the flag as does the goalkeeper, but the attacker still knocks the ball into the net anyway and the goalkeeper makes no effort to save it due to the linesman's flag being up.

It then goes to VAR and, oh no, it's a perfectly good goal.

What happens then? Does the goal count?

Are players meant to play to the whistle now, or meant to play until any move is done and dusted - regardless of whether a whistle goes or a flag is up?

It happened last night, but the referee didn't blow the whistle when the flag went up. Players will have to learn to play to the whistle, not the flag.

A more interesting one for me was the Coppinger penalty incident last Saturday. The ball stayed in play and was cleared down the other end. Baudry was adjudged to have fouled Carey and was booked. Then the VAR says to Haines "you need to have a look at this..."

[DonnyBazR0ver]

The keeper shouldn't stop, but if he does that his own fault.

I suppose a common shout for a penalty is hands. That's a more difficult scenario to call and to decide whether to stop play.

[bobjimwilly]

Are players meant to play to the whistle now, or meant to play until any move is done and dusted - regardless of whether a whistle goes or a flag is up?

I was taught to play to the whistle in Primary school; if a pro doesn't play to the whistle that's their fault.

[glosterred]

They're meant to play to the whistle anyway to be fair, but I see your point. If a referee blows for an offside and they stop, but it turns out it was inside, then we have a problem. But this is why I advocate the idea of a Challenge system ala the NFL or Tennis.

VAR is only used for clear and obvious errors in four areas, goals, straight red cards, pens and mistaken identity, therefore if some one was on side or off side and goal never happened it wouldn’t have been looked at by VAR.


COYR

[anne honemous]

They're meant to play to the whistle anyway to be fair, but I see your point. If a referee blows for an offside and they stop, but it turns out it was inside, then we have a problem. But this is why I advocate the idea of a Challenge system ala the NFL or Tennis.

VAR is only used for clear and obvious errors in four areas, goals, straight red cards, pens and mistaken identity, therefore if some one was on side or off side and goal never happened it wouldn’t have been looked at by VAR.


COYR

It was used last night for an offside.

[bobjimwilly]

They're meant to play to the whistle anyway to be fair, but I see your point. If a referee blows for an offside and they stop, but it turns out it was inside, then we have a problem. But this is why I advocate the idea of a Challenge system ala the NFL or Tennis.

VAR is only used for clear and obvious errors in four areas, goals, straight red cards, pens and mistaken identity, therefore if some one was on side or off side and goal never happened it wouldn’t have been looked at by VAR.


COYR

It was used last night for an offside.

only because there was a goal in question

[anne honemous]

They're meant to play to the whistle anyway to be fair, but I see your point. If a referee blows for an offside and they stop, but it turns out it was inside, then we have a problem. But this is why I advocate the idea of a Challenge system ala the NFL or Tennis.

VAR is only used for clear and obvious errors in four areas, goals, straight red cards, pens and mistaken identity, therefore if some one was on side or off side and goal never happened it wouldn’t have been looked at by VAR.


COYR

It was used last night for an offside.

only because there was a goal in question

It would be exactly the same with my scenario only the keeper has seen the flag and makes no attempt to save the ball.

I think there's too many flaws with VAR in its present format for it to be an outright success. There's far too many grey areas.

[IDM]

Yes, the ball being in the back of the net was a bit of a giveaway.

I remember our home game vs Rotherham in 1984/5 (?) where we thought there was an offside or a foul, and the players stopped.  Rotherham scored and the goal stood - we lost 0-1.  Plus there was a rare occurrence for the 80s, a 5 figure attendance at Belle Vue!

[Bristol Red Rover]

....Plus there was a rare occurrence for the 80s, a 5 figure attendance at Belle Vue!

Definitely a case for a video review!

[Superspy]

I've just watched the video of what happened in the Leicester game on the BBC and I've got to be honest - I absolutely loved seeing a referee in an English game of football be able to use technology to help him make the right decision. All I thought was "hallelujah...it's about time". More of this please.

[NickDRFC]

I don’t think either keeper or striker ever look at the linesman’s flag. You see defender’s look over when trying to play an offside trap but I can’t recall ever seeing a keeper not bother with a save unless the referee has blown his whistle.

If a striker is suddenly through on goal, why on earth would you as the keeper look to the touchline and take your focus off the ball? Ditto as a striker.

[RedJ]

Yes, the ball being in the back of the net was a bit of a giveaway.

I remember our home game vs Rotherham in 1984/5 (?) where we thought there was an offside or a foul, and the players stopped.  Rotherham scored and the goal stood - we lost 0-1.  Plus there was a rare occurrence for the 80s, a 5 figure attendance at Belle Vue!

Something similar happened at Colchester the other year, McSheffrey was offside as far as the defence was concerned I seem to remember but he was clean through and got his only goal for the club.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

VAR will work and this trial will raise some issues that may need things tweaking. I reckon it's here to stay.

Maybe they will roll it out with full time pro referees!

[anne honemous]

Chelsea v Norwich game just now.

Seconds into extra time and the Chelsea player goes down under a challenge from a Norwich player, inside the area. The referee blows his whistle, gives Norwich a f/k and books the Chelsea player for simulation.

Replays show it should have been a penalty.

Why can't the video referee have a word in his ear and tell him that it should have been a penalty? And will the yellow card be rescinded?

VAR is like opening up pandoras box. I remain to be convinced...

[dickos1]

They can but for some reason they also thought it wasn't a pen even after watching the video

Crazy

[normal rules]

And so within just 24hrs of VAR being useful and an accurate assessment of an incident being made, there is an absolute shambles of a decision made in the Chelsea game.
You will never see a more blatant penalty and how someone with the luxury of a number of replays in slo mo can make that decision is quite frankly remarkable.

And to book the player for diving just adds insult to injury.

The VAR debate will go on and on.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

VAR agreed with the referee that it wasn't an obvious mistake.

On first watching I thought Will I Am bought it, although the replay shows it was the old chestnut of contact but he was already on his way down.

[anne honemous]

Another laughable one.

Morata goes down inside the area after a tug from a Norwich player (not clear cut but some referees out there would give it as a penalty).

The referee books Morata for diving, then red cards him for reacting angrily.

If only the FA would shoot this referee...

[Filo]

Conte having a right go at the officials, be intersting what he says in his broken English after the game

[RedJ]

I thought he got all these decisions correct.

[dickos1]

It was a definite pen the william one